Developments in Neuropsychological and Neurophysiological Assessment: An Overview of Progress and Products of the JWGD3 (Joint Working Group on Drug Dependent Degradation) Level I Neuropsychology Task Area Group

摘要

The Level I Screen represents the first of three major and interdependent assessment levels in the Tri-Service JWGD3 MIL PERF treatment/pretreatment drug screening program. The primary objective of this first look at drug effects on human performance is to identify neurological systems and functions that indicate adverse effects from drug administration. This information will in turn provide direction for the Level II Residential Screen, and will yield instrumentation and testing protocols for Level III (i.e., drug and stress) and Level IV (i.e., field-test) studies. Some of the drugs that enter the chemical defense program have a long history of medical use, e.g., atropine and pyridostigmine. As new drugs are developed, existing clinical and research information may be inappropriate, incomplete, or absent. To obtain the necessary data expeditiously, the Level I Task Area Group (TAG) has placed emphasis on development of an automated, standardized, and clinically relevant assessment of nervous system integrity. The Level I Screen will include two major subsets (an automated neuropsychological and an neurophysiological evoked-brainwave-potential assessment battery/system), and a minor subset of selected psychomotor/neuromuscular tests. This third group has been developed to meet an immediate need for assessment of carbamate myopathy associated with administration of pyridostigmine bromide. (aw)